PASCAGOULA, Miss., Feb. 2, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries announced today that Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant visited the company's Ingalls Shipbuilding facility, meeting with shipyard officials on workforce development and training initiatives and touring Ingalls' Maritime Training Academy.
"Mississippi is home to the greatest shipbuilders in the world and builds the most technologically advanced warships on the planet," Bryant said. "Workforce development is critical to ensuring Mississippians are prepared for skilled manufacturing jobs like those at Ingalls. The company's Maritime Training Academy is a tremendous training resource that will help ensure the next generation of shipbuilders is up to the task of building the ships that defend freedom around the world."
The 70,000 square-foot Haley Reeves Barbour Maritime Training Academy, built with state-provided recovery grant funds and Ingalls investment after Hurricane Katrina, features 24 classrooms, three computer labs, a library, a bookstore, 26 offices/conference rooms and several state-of-the-art craft labs for students to practice the various shipyard trades.
"We appreciate Governor Bryant taking the time to visit today to see firsthand how Mississippi investments and resources are being applied in developing our future workforce," said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. "Our continued partnerships with the State of Mississippi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College are providing real career opportunities for local students to learn shipbuilding skills through our apprenticeship program. This program is the lifeblood of our shipyard."
Since 1952, the Apprentice School has produced more than 4,000 graduates in support of the operational needs of Ingalls Shipbuilding. The program involves comprehensive two- to four-year curriculum for students interested in shipbuilding careers. Currently, more than 60 faculty and staff deliver 13 different programs and over 120 course offerings that enable apprentices to gain not only the skills, knowledge and pride of workmanship, but also the educational foundation and personal qualities needed to fully meet the challenges of a shipbuilding career. Today over 1,500 apprentice alumnae fill approximately 50 different types of jobs at Ingalls Shipbuilding from pipe welders to senior executives.
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant tried his hand in a crane simulator during a tour of Ingalls Shipbuilding’s Maritime Training Academy today. Also pictured is Larry Porter, a master trainer at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, which partners with Ingalls and the State of Mississippi in administering Ingalls’ apprenticeship program. Photo by Andrew Young/HII
